Shillong, Dec 20: Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) leader and cabinet minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar has an ‘advice’ for the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), which is to follow the Congress’ footstep by extending support to the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government on important issues in the interest of the people and the state.
“I appreciate the step taken by the Congress legislators. I wish the TMC (AITC) should also do that to support the state government on issues for the interest of the people and the state,” Tongkhar told journalists on Monday.
On the former chief minister and AITC leader Dr. Mukul Sangma’s allegation that the Congress was desperate to be in power by supporting a BJP-backed government, the HSPDP leader however said others cannot point fingers at the Congress for deciding to give outside support to the MDA.
“I would agree that it was a desperate move had they (Congress) offered to join the government but their offer is to support the government on issue base,” he said.
“It is a good gesture if they (Congress) support like they have done supporting ILP. That is the good thing. In fact, all opposition should support the government when it comes to the issues which are of interest of the state,” Tongkhar added.
Asserting the need to have a strong opposition in the state, the minister, however, said but on issue base, opposition can always extend their support as sometimes unnecessarily raising their voice on non-issue matters is just delaying things.
He also hoped that the opposition both the Congress and TMC work together.
“Even though the Congress legislators have extended support on issue base, I wish that they should stay strong in the opposition along with TMC as it is very important to have a strong opposition in the state,” he said.
Asked if the move was an indication of a possible pre-poll or post-poll alliance between the Congress and the ruling NPP in 2023, Tongkhar said that is too early to comment.
“Of course, personally to me even though people say everything is possible in politics but as of now, I don’t see that,” he said while adding , “The question is also that whether the remaining five Congress legislators will stick and contest from the Congress or switch to other parties before the elections.”
